Published Today at 09:54 AM

Minister for Police and Emergency Services
The Honourable Dan Purdie

Expanded Jack’s Law now in effect

  • The Crisafulli Government has delivered Jack’s Law, which has been officially proclaimed.
  • The law, which was expanded and made permanent by the Crisafulli Government, allows police to use hand-held scanners to detect deadly weapons in all public places.
  • More than 3,200 arrests under Jack’s Law and more than 5,900 charges laid. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering on making Queensland safer, with Jack’s Law now in place permanently across Queensland. 

The law allows police to use hand-held metal detectors to identify and seize weapons from people in all public places, expanding the powerful crime-fighting tool. 

Expanded and permanent Jack’s Law officially came into effect yesterday, following the passing of Making Jack’s Law Permanent legislation last month, expanding the powers and overturning Labor’s proposed expiry of the laws. 

After a decade of Labor failure, crime escalated under weakened laws that failed to deliver consequences for actions and created a generation of repeat offenders. 

Jack’s Law gives Queensland Police permanent powers to “wand” for weapons anywhere in Queensland where knife crime may be a risk, helping get more weapons off the streets and saving lives. 

The law is named in honour of 17-year-old Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed in Surfers Paradise in 2019. Since then, his parents Brett and Belinda have campaigned tirelessly to make Queensland safer. 

Last night Police Minister Dan Purdie joined Brett and Belinda Beasley and local officers in Burleigh where, for the first time, police were able to use hand-held scanners outside of prescribed places. 

Jack’s Law has already resulted in:

  • 122,548 people scanned
  • 1,190 weapons removed
  • 3,248 people arrested
  • 5,932 charges laid. 

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the expanded powers were about backing police and honouring the legacy of Jack Beasley. 

“Today is about action, not words,” Minister Purdie said. 

“Jack’s Law is now permanent, and police can use these scanners across the State, not just in Safe Night Precincts and other previously prescribed places. 

“This is about giving police the tools they need to detect and deter knife crime, and prevent more families from living through the heartbreak the Beasleys have endured.” 

Brett Beasley said the implementation of the expanded laws marked a major milestone. 

“We made a promise to Jack that we’d make sure something good came from this tragedy, and now, thanks to this law, lives will be saved,” Mr Beasley said. 

“We’ll never know whose life is saved because someone was caught with a knife before they could use it, but that’s the power of this law. It works.” 

Belinda Beasley said the expansion meant Jack’s legacy will live on. 

“Jack’s Law is for every young person and every family who deserves to feel safe,” Mrs Beasley said. 

“We’re incredibly grateful to the police, and to the Crisafulli Government that has listened and acted.” 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Nat Gradwell 0449 186 116